US4626861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two angle range and altitude measurement system and methods
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1984-09-28
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2004-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A passive system and related methods for detecting range and/or elevation of a target by using an X beam antenna system and by measuring the time delay between receipt of signals in the two planes of the X beam which are received directly from the target and by measuring the time delay between receipt of signals in the two planes of the X beam which signals are emitted by the target but reflected from a remote surface. By knowing these two time delays, the height of the antenna system, the fixed angle between the two planes of the X beam and the rate of rotation of the X beam, a direct calculation is established to determine the range and/or elevation of the target.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward R. Wiley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/02; G01S11/04; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/58; G01S3/66; G01S5/00; G01S5/02; G01S5/0249; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/01; G01S2205/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for detecting the range and elevation of a target comprising: a. an antenna system having first and second planes of receipt which are inclined a fixed angle (θ) from one another, said antenna system being located along the line of intersection of said planes and said antenna system including means for sweeping said line of interesection at a known rate of sweep (τ); b. means for measuring the delay (T 1 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted from a target and received directly by said antenna system; c. means for measuring the delay (T 2 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted by said target and received by said antenna system after being reflected from a remote surface; d. means for measuring the height (R H ) of said receiver; and e. means for calculating the range and/or elevation of said target in response to θ, τ, T 1 , T 2 and R H .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for detecting the range and elevation of a target comprising: a. an antenna system having first and second planes of receipt which are inclined a fixed angle (θ) from one another, said antenna system being located along the line of intersection of said planes and said antenna system including means for sweeping said line of interesection at a known rate of sweep (τ); b. means for measuring the delay (T 1 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted from a target and received directly by said antenna system; c. means for measuring the delay (T 2 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted by said target and received by said antenna system after being reflected from a remote surface; d. means for measuring the height (R H ) of said receiver; and e. means for calculating the range and/or elevation of said target in response to θ, τ, T 1 , T 2 and R H .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for calculating determines slant target range R S using the relationship: ##EQU6## where: α.sub.D =tan.sup.-1 [sin (T.sub.1 ·τ)/tan (θ)]; and α.sub.G =tan.sup.-1 [sin (T.sub.2 ·τ)/tan (θ)].
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for calculating determines target elevation T H using the relationship: T.sub.H =R.sub.H -R.sub.S ·sin (α.sub.D) where: ##EQU7##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said means for calculating determines target elevation T H using the relationship: T.sub.H =R.sub.H -R.sub.S ·sin (α.sub.D)
Claim 6
Independent Claim
37 words
The system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said line of intersection is parallel to a line which is tangent to the surface of the earth at a point directly below said antenna system.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
25 words
The system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said line of intersection also intersects the horizon as seen from said antenna system.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for detecting the range and elevation of a target employing an antenna system having first and second planes of receipt which are inclined a fixed angle (θ) from one another, said antenna system being located along the line of intersection of said planes and said antenna system including means for sweeping said line of intersection at a known rate of sweep (τ), the method comprising the steps of: a. measuring the delay (T 1 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted from a target and received directly by said antenna system; b. measuring the delay (T 2 ) between receipt of signals is said first and then in said second planes which are emitted by said target and received by said antenna system after being reflected from a remote surface; c. measuring the height (R H ) of said receiver; and d. calculating the range and/or elevation of said target in response to θ, τ, T 1 , T 2 and R H .
Claim 9
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for detecting the range and elevation of a target employing an antenna system having first and second planes of receipt which are inclined a fixed angle (θ) from one another, said antenna system being located along the line of intersection of said planes and said antenna system including means for sweeping said line of intersection at a known rate of sweep (τ), the method comprising the steps of: a. measuring the delay (T 1 ) between receipt of signals in said first and then in said second planes which are emitted from a target and received directly by said antenna system; b. measuring the delay (T 2 ) between receipt of signals is said first and then in said second planes which are emitted by said target and received by said antenna system after being reflected from a remote surface; c. measuring the height (R H ) of said receiver; and d. calculating the range and/or elevation of said target in response to θ, τ, T 1 , T 2 and R H .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of calculating includes determining the slant target range R S using the relationship: ##EQU8## where: α.sub.D =tan.sup.-1 [sin (T.sub.1 ·τ)/tan (θ)]; and α.sub.G =tan.sup.-1 [sin (T.sub.2 ·τ)/tan (θ)].
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of calculating includes determining the target elevation T H using the relationship: T.sub.H =R.sub.H -R.sub.S ·sin (α.sub.D) where: ##EQU9##
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said step of calculating includes determining said target elevation T H using the relationship: T.sub.H =R.sub.H -R.sub.S ·sin (α.sub.D).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |